Dead fish found in Roseville, P.E.I., watershed

Dead fish have been discovered in the Roseville watershed system on the west coast of P.E.I., government officials say.

Brad Potter, manager of fish and wildlife section for the Department of Communities, Land and Environment, said brook trout were among the dead fish discovered.

He couldn't say how many dead fish were found or if there were any other kinds.

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Potter would not speculate on the cause, but officials are expected to know more after water, soil, vegetation and fish samples are collected and tested.

'There are a number of different causes for fish to die. They're all not necessarily linked together.- Brad Potter

"There are a number of different causes for fish to die," he said.

"They're all not necessarily linked together. Sometimes they are, but not necessarily, so linking that to this one is a bit premature. In the coming days, more information will come to light."

The fish were discovered by the local watershed organization Monday morning.

Staff from Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Department of Justice and Public Safety and the Department of Communities, Land and Environment confirmed the finding after visiting the site around noon.

Other fish kills

There have been other fish kills reported around the province this summer.

While Potter said it's never good news, it is "not accurate" to say the number of fish kills is up over previous years.

"Certainly, here in the fish and wildlife section, we don't like to hear about dead fish from potentially non-natural causes," he said.

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